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Sandi’s Year In Books

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Sandi Ward

Goodreads Author

Born

in Springfield, MA, The United States

Website

http://www.sandiwardbooks.com

Twitter

sandiwardbooks

Genre

Fiction, Contemporary

Member Since

March 2014

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/sandiward

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Sandi Ward is a native New Englander who now lives on the Jersey Shore with her husband, kids, dog and a big black cat named Winnie. She received her MA in Creative Writing from NYU, and is a copywriter at an advertising agency. Her novels include THE ASTONISHING THING, SOMETHING WORTH SAVING, and WHAT HOLDS US TOGETHER (Kensington Books).

Visit Sandi at: http://www.sandiwardbooks.com
Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/sandiwardbooks/
Find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandiwardbooks/
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandiwardbo... ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

I love your books so much! How do you stay motivated to write? Whenever I try to write something I can never get past the middle...

Sandi Ward Thanks! That's a good question. I think there's two parts to it. First, I get motivated to write a story because I feel very compelled—I have an idea …moreThanks! That's a good question. I think there's two parts to it. First, I get motivated to write a story because I feel very compelled—I have an idea that I feel passionate about, and have to get it out on paper (or, in my case, on my laptop). Often I get ideas for scenes when I'm doing something mindless where I don't have to think too much, like walking my dog, and then I type it up later. So I guess I don't have to force myself to sit and write because I do it for fun! I find it entertaining (and probably therapeutic).

The second part, though, is that once I start a story, I have to figure out where it's going to go. That's harder. Sometimes I have an idea, get the characters in place—but then I'm not completely sure where to take it. I don't outline or plan my books ahead of time, so I have to figure everything out mid-story.

I assume that if a story line isn't compelling to me, it won't be compelling to readers either. So if I'm running out of steam, I change it up. I'll throw in a few twists or unexpected turns in the middle. I try to think: what would be surprising here? And then I can go back and edit what I wrote before to fit. I'll try to give readers a few moments of "I didn't see that coming—but of course, that makes sense!"

I think a lot of writers find the middle hard to get through, even when they have an ending in mind. I usually have a few secondary characters to play with who can step up and insert themselves into the plot, sending things in a new direction. And I sometimes throw in exterior obstacles, whether it's a broken leg or a snowstorm.

Writing realistic fiction for me means thinking about dramatic things that happen in our everyday lives, and then amplifying them. What if everything my character hoped wouldn't happen actually came to pass? So I try to make things increasingly more complicated, and incorporate scenes that are fun (or interesting, or heartbreaking, or inspiring) for me to write.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your writing!
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You next book sounds as good as the first one. Thank you for writing this. When I saw it was written from a cats point of view, I had to read it. :) I am currently reading it now. I hope these become a whole series of books? Sorry this was a comment so I put a question mark there so it would be accepted. I just wanted to tell you how much I love the premises of you books.

Sandi Ward Hi, and thanks for reading! I'm glad you love the concept. Right now I only have two books written from a cat's point of view, but you never know! May…moreHi, and thanks for reading! I'm glad you love the concept. Right now I only have two books written from a cat's point of view, but you never know! Maybe there will be more in the future.

Writing from a cat's POV has been a great way to show scenes going on between different family members. No one keeps secrets from their pets. Pets see everything, witnessing all of the behind-the-scenes drama we sometimes hide from the outside world. But of course our pets love us no matter what, which makes them perfect companions. (less)

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Combine Editions
Sandi Ward’s books

Average rating: 3.83 · 1,857 ratings · 366 reviews · 3 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Astonishing Thing 3.82 avg rating — 906 ratings — published 2017 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Something Worth Saving 3.84 avg rating — 781 ratings — published 2018 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	What Holds Us Together 3.79 avg rating — 170 ratings — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

56 posts
Sandi Ward's Blog

The Purpose of Fiction

I’ve been skimming through book descriptions online this evening and reading reader reviews, trying to pick out my next read. I’m always amazed how a novel for one person might be “my favorite book of all time” (5 stars) and for someone else is “a waste of time” (1 star). If you’ve never done it, go pick out a few fiction bestsellers and check out a few 5 star reviews and then a few 1 star reviews

Sandi is Currently Reading

Sandi Ward is currently reading

The Academy

by Elin Hilderbrand (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Feb 22, 2026 08:55PM

Sandi Ward rated a book it was amazing

Beth Is Dead

by Katie Bernet (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Sandi Ward said: " I enjoyed this YA murder mystery. Well-written and an excellent read! It's marketed as a retelling of Little Women, which I read so long ago that I don't really remember it very well. But the names and general dynamic of the sisters was generally fam ...more "

Feb 05, 2026 06:49AM · see review

Sandi Ward is currently reading

All Consuming: Why We Eat the Way We Eat Now

by Ruby Tandoh (Goodreads Author)

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Dec 25, 2025 07:51PM

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Sandi’s Recent Updates

Sandi Ward is on page 111 of 432 of The Academy The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand (Goodreads Author) progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21 hours, 45 min ago · 1 like · like · see status · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sandi Ward is on page 91 of 432 of The Academy The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand (Goodreads Author) progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 24, 2026 08:28PM · 1 like · like · see status · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sandi Ward started reading The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Fiction	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 22, 2026 08:55PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sandi Ward rated a book it was amazing Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I tore through this book…like wildfire. Sorry, I had to make that joke. But it’s true. I saw another review where the reader said reading the first part of this book like was like watching an IMAX movie, and I second that thought. Having lived throug ...more
Feb 19, 2026 07:53PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sandi Ward rated a book it was amazing The Ivies by Alexa Donne (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A fun read with a sense of humor and plenty of drama. A clique of girls at boarding school would do anything to get into their chosen Ivy League colleges…yes, anything. Gossip Girl meets Mean Girls with a side of murder.
Feb 19, 2026 07:37PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Ivies by Alexa Donne. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Ivies by Alexa Donne <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sandi Ward entered a giveaway The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (Goodreads Author) 10 copies available, ends on March 16, 2026 Enter to win »
Feb 15, 2026 11:34AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sandi Ward started reading The Ivies by Alexa Donne (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 09, 2026 07:46PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Ivies by Alexa Donne. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Ivies by Alexa Donne <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sandi Ward wants to read How To Fly by Olivia Martel (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 07, 2026 11:22AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of How To Fly by Olivia Martel. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — How To Fly by Olivia Martel <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sandi Ward rated a book it was amazing Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this YA murder mystery. Well-written and an excellent read! It's marketed as a retelling of Little Women, which I read so long ago that I don't really remember it very well. But the names and general dynamic of the sisters was generally fam ...more
Feb 05, 2026 06:46AM · 2 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Sandi Ward started reading Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 01, 2026 09:20PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

More of Sandi's books…

Quotes by Sandi Ward (?)

“Sometimes, for humans and for animals, sleep is the best thing.”
― Sandi Ward, Something Worth Saving

1 likes

“I gravitate to the one who feeds me, who cuddles and sleeps with me, who understands my needs. Don’t we all?”
― Sandi Ward, Something Worth Saving

1 likes

“We all have faults, we all have weaknesses, and we all have insecurities. These humans are not perfect, and neither am I. But together we each get a little bit stronger. Together, we can figure out a way forward.”
― Sandi Ward, The Astonishing Thing

tags: inspirational, life, together

1 likes

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Polls

Which genre would you like to read for the January Book of the Month?

Mystery- 3 of 3 books

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

The Girl In The Ice (Detective Erika Foster, #1) by Robert Bryndza

The Girl In The Ice by Robert Bryndza

The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer

78 votes 50.6%

Science Fiction - 3 of 3 Books

Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1) by Neal Shusterman

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Happiness For Humans by P.Z. Reizin

The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson

47 votes 30.5%

Contemporary - 3/3 books

Call Me by Your Name: A Novel by André Aciman

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Harold Fry, #1) by Rachel Joyce

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

The Astonishing Thing by Sandi Ward

15 votes 9.7%

Fiction- 3 of 3 Books

The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

2001 A Space Odyssey (Space Odyssey, #1) by Arthur C. Clarke

2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

14 votes 9.1%

154 total votes

9 comments

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